Footplate for shovels and the like



A. GIBSON.

FOOTPLATE FOR SHOVELS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICMION FILED NOV-21.1918.

Patented Feb. 24, 1920.

ALEXANDER GIBSON, OF-KENDAL, ENGLAND.

FOOTPLA'IE FOR SHOVELS AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 24, 1920.

Application filed November 21,1918. Serial No. 263,527.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER GiBsoN, a subject of the Kingdom of Great Britain, residing at 23 Parr street, Kendal, VVestmoreland, England, hosiery manufacturer, have invented Footplates for Shovels and the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention comprehends a device for use in connection with spades, shovels, forks, and the like, for assisting manipulation thereof by the foot, and comprises a foot or pressure plate adapted to be applied to the spade, shovel, fork, or the like whereby pressure can be iniparted to the implement by the foot in a much more eflicac-ious manner than at present. lVith an ordinary spade or the like the edge to which the foot is ordinarily applied is usually of a thin character, the result of this being that boots are likely to be damaged or destroyed, and pain in the foot and leg experienced.

The present invention has for its purpose to provide that the foot, including the heel thereof, shall be applied to a substantially fiat surface whereby the pressure is distributed; full power is obtained and the boot, foot, and leg are effectively protected.

In order that this invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into practice, reference may be had to the appended explanatory sheet of drawings, upon which Figure 1 illustrates in perspective an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates in perspective a modified embodiment of the present invention.

In carryin out the present invention, I provide a plate a or pressure member adapted to be applied transversely to the upper edge of the spade, fork, or the like to form a small platform projecting forwardly and rearwardly, and upon which the foot is adapted to be placed. This plate, which may be made any size to receive the foot, including the heel thereof, as hereinbefore stated, is adapted to be detachably secured to the implement either to the blade or to the shaft thereof, or to both. Conveniently, the device is composed or iron, steel, or the like, and it is furnished withtwo webs or leaves 6, b which depend downwardly and are adapted to occupy a position one to the front and the other to the rear of the blade or equivalent part of the implement. These webs or leaves may be formed integrally with the platform, as for instance by being cast in one piece therewith, or they may be welded to it.

Through these webs or leaves, perforations are provided, and bolts and nuts 0 are adapted to pass through the said perforations and perforations appropriately bored in the implement, whereby the attachment is effectively secured to the blade of the spade. The webs; or leaves may be at right angles to the platform element, or they may be at a slight angle to this position. The platform-like member may be formed with elon gated perforations (Z which prevent slipping of the foot. On the platform member a ledge or ridge is provided against which the front of the heel part of the boot is adapted to be positioned.

The attachment may be fixed at right or left of handle, and is adapted to be attached or detached with very little trouble and time.

In addition to, or alternatively to, the provision for bolting or clamping the device to the blade or any equivalent part of the spade, fork, or other implement, I may provide integrally with, or attached to, the platformlike member a socket or collar 0, ig. 2, adapted to embrace the handle or snaft of the implement so that the device may be secured thereby. lVith this arrangement, in the case of a fork, for instance, the under part of the device may be furnished with two shallow ribs 7" or projections between which a groove is thereby provided which may receive the upper part of the fork, and thus position the device from forward and backward derangement. In the embodiments in which the device is adapted to be attached to the handle or shaft of the implement, the arrangement is advantageously such that the device may be applied right or left hand. i

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A device for use in connection with spades, shovels, forks, and the like, to assist manipulation thereof by the foot, and comprising a plate or pressure member adapted to be applied at a point intermediate the ends of said. plate transversely to the upper edge of the implement, to form a platform projecting forwardly and rearwardly of the implement, the said forwardly pro j ecting portion of the platform being adapted to receive the sole, and the rearwardly projecting portion of the platform being adapted to receive the heel of the boot of the user.

2. A device for use in connection with spades, shovels, forks, and the like, to assist manipulation thereof by the foot, and comprising a plate or pressure member adapted to be applied at a point intermedi ate the ends of said plate transversely to the upper edge of the implement, to form a platform projecting forwardly and rearwardly of the implement, the said forwardly projecting portion of the platform being adapted to receive the sole, and the rearwardly projecting portion of the platform beingadapted to receive the heel of the boot of the user, said plate also having a transversely arranged rib on its upper side 15 at a point intermediate its ends, to bear against the front-side of the heel.

- "In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in thepresence of two Witnesses.

A. GIBSON.

Witnesses:

ELEANOR THOMPSON, J ANE THOMPSON. 

